As someone who has served or supported military life, you carry experiences that run deep. From moments of pride and purpose to loss, transition, and uncertainty, your journey includes realities others truly understand. By sharing your story, you can offer perspective, understanding, and reassurance to fellow service members, Veterans, and military families, reminding them they are not alone.

Use these step-by-step instructions to create a well-rounded peer profile .  

Step 2: Recording a Video

Here are some key guidelines for recording a great video experience.

• Record in vertical mode on your phone, ensuring your face is centered with space above and below.
• Hold the phone at eye level to maintain natural eye contact. Do not be looking down at the camera.
• Pick a quiet location with a neutral background—avoid distractions, clutter, a fan or other people in the frame.
• Keep it professional yet friendly by avoiding logos, hats, profanity, or slang.
• For a smooth flow, start by introducing yourself—first name only—then share your story, how you overcame the challenge, and a message of encouragement for others. Speak naturally, as if you're talking to a friend!
• Do not have a microphone or headphones showing in your video.
• Avoid doing multiple takes and splicing the clips together.  Jump edits can be distracting to the viewers. Fluid recordings are ideal.
• Please prepare yourself visually and orally for the recording. Make sure you are put together with your hair done, clean business casual attire, and make sure you are in an environment that will provide optimal recording such as pleasant lighting and minimal reflections. Watch these examples from other peers on our platform:

Step 3: Recording your audio

Here are some key guidelines for recording a great audio experience.

• Do not say your last name during your introduction. Your first name will be on your profile and that’s plenty.
• Peer recordings must present your experiences honestly and with an authentic voice.  Add a variety of topics different from your videos or keep same topic but present the story from a different perspective.  

• Peer recordings must be clear and easily heard. 
  • Low volume, background noise, or a poor connection will not be accepted.  Many microphones are sensitive, so we suggest avoiding a lot of movement.
  • Have a natural cadence to your delivery.

• Ideal length for recordings is 60-90 seconds

• Please use the playback feature to review your recording for quality before submitting. Listen to these examples from other peers on our platform:

Step 4: Writing Your About Me

Your "About Me" helps members get a warm first impression of who you are, so keep it brief, authentic, and focused on what you want others to know about you.

Aim for 3–5 sentences that highlight a few key pieces of your story—such as your background, interests, values, or what inspires you to connect with others. You don’t need to share anything overly personal or detailed; think of it as a friendly introduction that reflects your personality and the heart you bring to this role. If you’re unsure where to start, consider what you’d say if someone asked, “Tell me a little about yourself.” Keep it simple, genuine, and written in your natural voice.